The vote came a week after midterm elections that cost Republicans their House majority. Accounts of the losses differ. One count puts them at nearly 50 seats, with Democrats positioned to hold about 260. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York is expected to become Speaker, and Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts is expected to become Majority Leader. Democrats hold their own leadership elections next week.

Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana said after the losses that he would step aside and not seek a leadership role for the next two years. Some accounts describe that as a resignation. Johnson has not said whether he will stay in Congress.

Jordan has chaired the Judiciary Committee since 2023 and helped found the House Freedom Caucus in 2015. He was first elected in 2007 and lost a bid for Speaker in 2023. A longtime ally of President Donald Trump, he used the committee to lead investigations into former special counsel Jack Smith and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. In recent years he has moved closer to establishment figures such as Kevin McCarthy and Johnson, and he campaigned extensively for House Republican candidates before the vote.

At a candidate forum, Jordan and Scalise, 61, each pledged to unite the conference. Scalise pointed to his legislative record and to the $67.9 million he said he raised for the midterms. Jordan presented the party's role in the minority as "offense, not defense," and described himself as "battle-tested on the oversight front." He is expected to defend Trump against the Democratic investigations of the administration that are anticipated, and to organize the party for the 2028 cycle.

Supporters made the case on grounds of effectiveness and leverage. Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio said Jordan rose through the ranks because he gets results. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, who backed Jordan, alleged that Scalise had earlier made "backend deals" with the Senate that left the House without leverage.

Other leadership posts are still being contested. Reps. Tom Emmer, August Pfluger, Lisa McClain, Erin Houchin and Greg Steube are running for positions including whip and conference chair.

In the Senate, Republicans had not yet decided whether to re-elect Sen. John Thune as their leader. Sen. Chuck Schumer is the favorite to remain Senate Democratic leader despite some opposition.